The Design Inference Game

03/03/03 | Moi

[general_re]

I thought a new thread was a good idea, and here seems to be a good place to put it, so as not to clutter up "News". The only topic available was "heated discussion", though. ;)

If any clarification about the pictures is needed, just say so, and I will try to at least highlight the part that I am interested in for you. Remember that I'm interested in the objects or structures or artifacts being represented, so don't be thrown off if the illustrations seem abstract.

[general_re]

Indeed I can. The smaller version on the thread is approximately 1.5x magnification, and the larger version is approximately 5x magnification. As for the composition, I was afraid you would ask that - it's a regular witches brew ;)

Here's a brief (paraphrased) description of its qualities and major constituent compounds:

Consistency: soft to brittle
Specific gravity: 0.95
Melting point: ~140° F (60° C)
Main constituent compounds:

CH₃(CH₂)₂₄COOH
CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COO(CH₂)₁₂CH₃
CH₃(CH₂)₂₉OH
CH₃(CH₂)₂₉CH₃

...plus a host of minor compounds. Insoluble in water, soluble in CCl₄, CHCl₃, and (warm) diethyl ether.

As always, feel free to request assistance from anyone you like - especially if the chemistry of the composition seems a bit forbidding ;)

[PatrickHenry]

Well, I then guess it's not the innerspring insides of my Beautyrest matress.

[general_re]

It's not that exotic, all things considered, although you probably won't find it in too many mattresses... ;)

[Diamond]

Well, I guess your patio is ruled out then, too:^).

Cordially,

[PatrickHenry]

Yes, but I'm thinking it might be a close-up of the pores on Hillary's nose.

[Condorman]

It's not that exotic, all things considered, although you probably won't find it in too many mattresses

Yeah, I can think of several potential barriers to that particular object providing a good night's sleep...

I think this object might be the fiendishest yet. And no, PH, that doesn't mean that it dresses in black vinyl on weekends! ;^o

[js1138]

I seem to have mistyped the link for picture #10. It links to #390 instead of #399. Fortunately it's just a short hop to the actual pic.

If we get to another page of 50, I'll fix it.

[general_re]

You're fired.

Actually, I hope we'll hit another 50 pretty easily, and perhaps much more. What I'd like to do is have PH and/or Junior hit their ping lists, and call back people who were here on the thread earlier, so that others can post their speculations, musings, thoughts, opium-induced visions, whatever, about the objects in question, before I spoil all the fun by posting what each thing actually is....

[general_re]

I should say that I'd like to have PH and/or Junior hit their ping lists after we get the final verdict on #10 from Diamond...

[RadioAstronomer]

WOW I missed this thread comletely placemarker.

[general_re]

It was a deep, dark secret. I would have gotten you eventually, though - I didn't plan on pinging anyone until the end so that Diamond and I could have a minimum of crosstalk from others. Obviously, that failed miserably, as you can see ;)

[RadioAstronomer]

Diamond and I could have a minimum of crosstalk from others.

Oh! Sorry. I should have stayed out until pinged!

[general_re]

That's okay - we're almost at the end anyhow, and this never quite had the hushed tones of a Center Court match at Wimbledon anyway ;)

[RadioAstronomer]

LOL Ok :-)

[PatrickHenry]

I shall keep my ping list ready, awaiting the final answer. And the final links.

[js1138]

One's ping should always be ready.

[PatrickHenry]

One's ping should always be ready.

In terms of natural selection, that would seem to be an advantage.

[general_re]

I knew putting this thread in the back room was a good idea...

[js1138]

Hey, there's a war going on. We need a bit of comic relief.

[Diamond]

     "... The prisoner had raised himself with some difficulty upon the sofa and was staring with a strange mixture of amazement and hatred at his captor. I shall get level with you, Altamont," he said, speaking with slow deliberation. "If it takes me all my life I shall get level with you!"
      "The old sweet song," said Holmes. "How often have I heard it in days gone by. It was a favorite ditty of the late lamented Professor Moriarty. Colonel Sebastian Moran has also been known to warble it. And yet I live and keep bees upon the South Downs."
"...Here is the fruit of my leisured ease, the magnum opus of my latter years!" He picked up the volume from the table and read out the whole title, Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with Some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen. "Alone I did it. Behold the fruit of pensive nights and laborious days when I watched the little working gangs as once I watched the criminal world of London."

Against Idleness and Mischief

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!

How skillfully she builds her cell!
How neat she spreads the wax!
And labors hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.

In works of labor or of skill
I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.

In books, or work, or healthful play,
Let my first years be past;
That I may give for every day
Some good account at last.

. ---by Isaac Watts

DESIGN.

Cordially,